Study for the Dream I 1935

Balthus made this ‘Study for the Dream I’ with oil paint on canvas, media used traditionally for fine art. The material qualities of oil paint, its viscosity and blendability, allow Balthus to create a dreamy, almost ethereal atmosphere. Layers of muted colors give the painting a soft texture, enhancing the feeling of a dream. Balthus carefully built up the image, likely starting with thin washes of color and gradually adding thicker layers to define form and light. This process allowed him to create a sense of depth and volume, while still maintaining the painting's overall softness. What interests me here, is to what extent the painting process itself can be understood as labour. Though Balthus here makes use of traditional techniques, he’s pushing the boundaries of what these can be made to do. ‘Study for the Dream I’ challenges our understanding of fine art versus craft, as it invites us to appreciate not only the subject matter, but also the skill and effort involved in its creation.